Coolant Line Clip Assemblies For Use With Fluid Delivery Systems

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a fluid clip for use with a coolant system for electrosurgical procedures. The fluid clip includes a clip housing having proximal and distal ends and a channel defined therethrough. The channel is dimensioned to receive tubing for carrying a cooling fluid from a cooling source. The fluid clip includes a luer that includes a passageway defined therethrough. The passageway is dimensioned to securely receive the tubing such that the tubing extends through the luer for reception within the channel defined in the clip housing. The luer includes one or more interface on a surface thereof that matingly engages a corresponding interface on the clip housing. The interface on the luer cooperates with the interface on the clip housing to limit rotation of the tubing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/123,645 filed on May 20, 2008 by Arnold V.DeCarlo, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to fluid delivery systems. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to coolant line clipassemblies for use with coolant delivery systems configured fordelivering and circulating a quantity of coolant.

2. Description of Related Art

Microwave antennas are used for various types of tissue ablationprocedures. Typically, microwave antennas include a probe configured todeliver thermal microwave energy to tissue for ablation purposes.Microwave antennas may include and/or be in operative communication Witha coolant delivery system configured to circulate coolant (e.g., sterilewater) from the microwave generator and/or coolant delivery system tothe probe via a flexible coolant line. Chilling the probe allows theantenna and transmission lines associated with the probe to operate athigher powers over an extended period of time. Chilling of the antennaportion also allows for a greater depth of penetration of the probe.Moreover, by cooling an outer probe surface around the antenna, thetherapeutic heating radius is increased.

It is also known that lesions created by microwave antennas typicallyyield tear drop profiles resulting in so called “tracking” caused byconductive energy which tracks proximally beyond the antenna. Coolingthe antenna may help eliminate this profile and may provide for a moreelliptical to spherical lesion with limited tracking. All of thesedesign features translate into large, controllable lesions.

Commercially available coolant lines configured for use with coolantdelivery systems are typically made from lightweight flexible material(PVC for example) that is formed into suitable lengths of tubing.Unfortunately, because the tubing is made from lightweight material thatis made to easily flex, inadvertent blockages may develop along thelength of the tubing. For instance, practitioners pulling on the coolantline may cause kinks to form along the length of the tubing and, or inaddition thereto, the weight of the tubing may cause the tubing tocollapse. Either instance may result in impeding and/or preventingcirculation of the coolant to a probe during a microwave ablationprocedure, which, in turn, may result in the microwave generatorshutting off prematurely and/or result in the probe becoming too hot andoverheated, which, in turn, may result in the unnecessary burning oftissue.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A coolant line clip capable of preventing blockages from developingalong the length of the coolant line, while allowing maximum coolantflow through the probe to facilitate tissue ablation would be useful inmicrowave ablation and/or other surgical procedures requiring coolantlines.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides a fluid clip for use with acoolant system for electrosurgical procedures. The fluid clip includes aclip housing that is substantially J-shaped defining a radius at thedistal end thereof and is dimensioned to prevent the tubing fromkinking. The fluid clip housing has proximal and distal ends and achannel defined therethrough. The distal end of the clip housingincludes a mechanical interface disposed thereon that facilitates secureengagement of the tubing therein. The channel is dimensioned to receivetubing for carrying a cooling fluid from a cooling source. The fluidclip includes a luer that includes a passageway defined therethrough.The passageway is dimensioned to securely receive the tubing such thatthe tubing extends through the luer for reception within the channeldefined in the clip housing. The luer includes one or more interface ona surface thereof that matingly engages a corresponding interface on theclip housing. The interface on the luer cooperates with the interface onthe clip housing to limit rotation of the tubing. In embodiments, theinterface on the luer includes a pair of opposing wings that matinglyengage a corresponding pair of slots defined within the clip housing.

In embodiments, the luer includes a housing having a proximal flangethat extends therefrom and is moveable relative to the luer housing tosecure the tubing within the passageway. In embodiments, the luerhousing includes an inner peripheral surface that is dimensioned tocrimp the proximal flange upon reception therein, which, in turn,secures tubing within the passageway.

In embodiments, the luer includes a housing having a proximal flangethat extends therefrom. The proximal flange includes an inner peripheralsurface that forms part of the passageway. Here, the inner peripheralsurface is dimensioned to securely engage the tubing when the tubing isreceived therethrough.

In embodiments, the interface at the distal end of the hosing includes apair of opposing flanges that cooperate to facilitate secure engagementof the tubing to the distal end of the clip housing.

In embodiments the interface at the distal end of the hosing includes apair of opposing flanges that cooperate in an overlapping manner tofacilitate secure engagement of the tubing to the distal end of the cliphousing.

The present disclosure also provides a method of preventing kinking intubing in an electrosurgical cooling system. The method includes thesteps of providing a clip housing having proximal and distal ends and achannel defined therethrough and a luer including a passageway definedtherethrough. The channel and the passageway are dimensioned to receivetubing for carrying a cooling fluid from a cooling source. The methodincludes the steps of: inserting the tubing into and through thepassageway in the luer and securing the luer to the tubing; insertingthe tubing into and through the channel of the clip housing such thatthe tubing extends therefrom for engagement with a surgical instrument;and operatively engaging mating mechanical interfaces on the luer withcorresponding mechanical interfaces on the clip housing to limitrotation of the tubing.

In an embodiment, the step of inserting the tubing into and through thepassageway in the luer includes the step of crimping a portion of theluer to secure the tubing.

In an embodiment, the luer of the providing step includes a luer housinghaving a proximal flange that extends therefrom and the step of crimpingincludes the step of moving one of the luer housing and the proximalflange relative to one another to crimp the tubing.

In an embodiment, the method of preventing kinking in tubing in anelectrosurgical cooling system further comprises the step of operativelyengaging the tubing in the distal end of the clip housing.

The present disclosure further provides a coolant delivery system foruse with a microwave antenna. The coolant delivery system includes oneor more lengths of tubing having one end adapted to connect to amicrowave antenna and a second end adapted to connect to a coolantreservoir configured to store at least one type of coolant. The coolantdelivery system includes a clip housing having proximal and distal endsand a channel defined therethrough. The channel configured to receivethe one or more lengths tubing for carrying a cooling fluid from thecoolant reservoir. The coolant delivery system also includes a luer thatincludes a passageway defined therethrough. The passageway is configuredto securely receive the one or more lengths of tubing such that thetubing extends through the luer for reception within the channel definedin the clip housing. The luer includes one or more interfaces on asurface thereof that matingly engage a corresponding interface on theclip housing to limit rotation of the tubing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a microwave antenna assembly thatemploys a coolant delivery system in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna assembly depicted inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is an exploded, perspective view of a coolant line clip and alength of tubing including a luer fitting for use with the coolantdelivery system depicted in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a front, perspective view of the coolant line clip connectedto the length of tubing depicted in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a side, perspective view of the coolant line clip connectedto the length of tubing depicted in FIG. 3B;

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the coolant line clip depicted inFIG. 3B;

FIG. 3E is a partial cut-away view of the coolant line clip taken alongthe line segment “3E-3E” in FIG. 3B;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the coolant line clip that includes aline lock in accordance with another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the coolant line clip that includes aline lock in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for preventing kinking in tubing inan electrosurgical cooling system in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein;however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of thedisclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailedstructure. In the drawings and in the descriptions that follow, the term“proximal,” as is traditional, will refer to the end that is closer tothe user, while the term “distal” will refer to the end that is fartherfrom the user.

While the following describes a clip configured for use with fluiddelivery systems that are operatively associated with microwave ablationsystems, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that theclip can be used with any fluid delivery system.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and initially with reference to FIG. 1,a representative diagram of a microwave antenna probe assembly 100 inoperative communication with a coolant system 200 is shown. The probeassembly 100 includes a radiating portion 106 connected by a feedline114 (or shaft) via a cable 116 that ultimately couples to a generator 30via connector 118. Probe assembly 100, as shown, is a dipole microwaveantenna assembly, but other suitable antenna assemblies, e.g., monopoleor leaky wave antenna assemblies, may also be utilized. Radiatingportion 106 includes a distal end 122 having a tapered end 126 (FIG. 2)that terminates at a tip 110 to facilitate insertion into tissue withminimal resistance. In those cases where the radiating portion 106 isinserted into a pre-existing opening, tip 110 may be rounded or flat.

Feedline 114 includes a coaxial cable made of a conductive metal whichmay be semi-rigid or flexible. Feedline 114 may also have a variablelength from a proximal end of radiating portion 106 to a distal end ofcable 116, depending on particular purpose.

With reference to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional side view of probe assembly100 is shown. Although this variation illustrates the cooling of astraight probe antenna, a curved or looped microwave antenna may alsoutilize much of the same or similar principles. Probe assembly 100includes a cooling handle assembly 102 having an elongate outer jacket108 extending therefrom. Outer jacket 108 extends and terminates at tip110. Microwave antenna 104 is positioned within handle assembly 102 suchthat the radiating portion 106 of antenna 104 extends distally intoouter jacket 108 towards tip 110. As shown, inflow tubing 124 extendsinto a proximal end of handle body 112 and distally into a portion ofouter jacket 108. Similarly, outflow tubing 126 extends from withinhandle body 112 such that the distal ends of inflow tubing 124 andoutflow tubing 126 are in fluid communication with one another. In-flowtubing 124 and out-flow tubing 126 may be housed together within acasing or jacket (not explicitly shown).

The distal ends of inflow tubing 124 and outflow tubing 126 arepositioned within handle body 112 such that coolant (e.g., sterilizedwater) may be pumped into handle body 112 via a pump 210 (FIG. 1)through inflow tubing 124. Coolant entering handle body 112 comes intodirect contact with at least a portion of the shaft of antenna 104 toallow for convective cooling of the antenna shaft to occur. The coolantexits handle body 112 via outflow tubing 126 (FIG. 2).

With reference again to FIG. 1, the coolant is pumped, by way of pump210, using any combination of positive and/or negative pressure throughinlet tube 124 and outlet tube 126, respectively. In pumping the coolantthrough probe assembly 100, the coolant typically passes through probeassembly 100 at a uniform flow rate. In another variation, the flow ratemay be intermittent such that a volume of coolant may be pumped andallowed to warm up by absorbing heat from the antenna. Temperaturesensors (not explicitly shown), such as thermistors, thermocouples, etcmay be incorporated within or openly associated with the outer jacket108 to sense the fluid and/or outer jacket 108 temperatures. The coolantdelivery system may be configured to automatically pump additionalcoolant into antenna assembly 100 once the sensed temperature reaches apredetermined level or it may be configured to notify the user via anaudible or visual alarm.

The coolant is stored in reservoir 212 and has a temperature that variesdepending upon desired cooling rates and the desired tissue impedancematching properties. Biocompatible coolants having sufficient specificheat values for absorbing heat generated by microwave ablation antennasmay be utilized, e.g., liquids including, but not limited to, sterilewater, saline, Fluorinert, liquid chlorodifluoromethane, and so on. Inanother variation, gases (such as nitrous oxide, nitrogen, carbondioxide, etc.) may also be utilized as the coolant.

For a more detailed description of probe assembly 100 and coolantdelivery system 200, and operative components associated therewith,reference is made to commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/053,987, filed on Feb. 8, 2005, entitled “DEVICES AND METHODS FORCOOLING MICROWAVE ANTENNAS.”

As noted above, clip 300 is adapted to couple to one or more coolantlines (e.g., inflow tube 124 and/or outflow tube 126) of coolantdelivery system 200 for use with microwave probe antenna assembly 100.To facilitate understanding of the structural and operative features ofclip 300, clip 300 is described in terms of use with in-flow tube 124.

With reference to FIGS. 3A-3E, and initially with reference to FIG. 3A,clip 300 is shown and configured to support tubing 124 of coolant system200. Clip 300 includes a clip housing 305 having first and second ends,302 and 304, located respectively, at proximal and distal ends thereof.Ends 302 and 304 are configured such that tubing 124 remains in asubstantially fixed position along a curve or contour of clip housing305 during normal operation thereof. Each of the ends 302, 304 includesrespective first openings 302 a and 304 a. Clip housing 305 alsoincludes a radius “R” (FIG. 3D) that allows tubing 124 to flex whilecoolant flows therethrough. A channel 308 is defined in clip 300 andextends from first and second openings, 302 a and 304 a, respectively,to provide support for tubing 124. Clip housing 305 also includes one ormore mechanical interfaces 312 disposed at proximate first and secondends 302 and 304.

With continued reference to FIG. 3A, first opening 302 a includes anouter periphery 315 defined to mechanically engage a luer fitting 400(as explained below) and an inner periphery 320 having a suitablediameter for receiving tubing 124. First opening 302 a also includes asubstantially circumferential shape and extends within clip housing 305toward a distal end thereof. The inner periphery may taper from thefirst proximal end 302 of clip housing 305 toward the second or distalend 304 to ensure a tight fit between tubing 124 and/or luer fitting 400and opening 302 a, as best seen in FIG. 3D. As described in detailbelow, a user connects tubing 124 to clip housing 305 by way of a pressfit, interference or friction fit engagement. First opening 302 a mayinclude additional structure that facilitates attachment of the tubing124 to clip housing 305, e.g., indents, detents, and the like (notexplicitly shown). An opening 306 having a suitable diameter andconfigured to receive tubing 124 is defined at a distal end of innerperiphery 320 of first opening 302 a, as shown in FIG. 3C and FIG. 3A(in phantom).

As mentioned above, the outer periphery 315 includes a mechanicalinterface configured to engage a corresponding interface disposed onluer fitting 400. The interface may be any suitable structure, such as,for example, intents, detents, slits, slots and the like. As shown inFIG. 3A, the interface includes two opposing slots 310 a and 310 b eachconfigured to engage corresponding wings 410 a and 410 b of the luertype fitting 400. When the luer fitting 400 is engaged on tubing 124 andcoupled to slots 310 a and 310 b (see FIG. 3B), wings 410 a and 410 bprevent tubing 124 from twisting while tubing 124 is engaged with clip300, reducing the risk of impeding coolant flow to and through the probeassembly 100. Other types of mechanical interface may be employed toaccomplish similar purposes.

As shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, tubing 124 is initially inserted into apassageway 405 defined in luer fitting 400 such that the tubing extendstherethrough for engagement with clip housing 305 as explained in moredetail below. Proximal flange 406 is configured for slideable receptionwithin luer housing 408 and includes an outer surface 406′ having agenerally circular shape that is dimensioned to slidingly engage aninner peripheral surface 408′ of housing 408. Surface 408′ may betapered along a length thereof to facilitate engaging the tube withinluer housing 408. Flange 406 also includes an inner periphery 407 thatdefines passageway 405. The tube 124 is secured by sliding flange 406into luer housing 408 such that the tapered inner surface 408′ of luerhousing 406 crimps and secures the tube 124 in a uniformly concentricmanner.

In one embodiment, inner periphery 407 may be tapered along a lengththereof to facilitate securing the tube 124 within luer fitting 400.Alternatively, the outer surface 406′ of flange 406 may be tapered suchthat the tube 124 is crimped and secured upon reception of the flangeinto luer housing 408. In this instance, inner peripheral surface 408′is not necessarily tapered.

In another embodiment, luer fitting 400 includes a housing 408 thatincludes an integrally-formed proximal flange 406 that extendstherefrom. The proximal flange 406 receives the tube 124 for passagethrough passageway 405 for engagement with clip housing 305. In thisinstance, the tube 124 is permitted to rotate within the luer fitting400 that may be suitable for a particular surgical purpose. However, thesurgical instrument (not shown) may need a particularly-designedcoupling (not shown) to avoid twisting the tube 124 during use.

As shown in FIGS. 3B-3E, once the tube is secured within the luerfitting 400, the distal end of the tube 124 is fed through opening 302 ain clip housing 305, around channel 308, and through exit opening 304 adisposed in end 304. The luer fitting 400 is then oriented such that thetwo opposing wings 410 a and 410 b align with the corresponding slots310 a and 310 b, respectively, in clip housing 305 and moved into secureengagement therewith. In the particular embodiment described abovewherein the tube is crimped within luer fitting 400, the engagement ofthe wings 410 a and 410 b within respective slots 310 a and 310 bprevents the tube 124 from twisting during use. Because the clip 300 andluer 400 assembly maintains the tubing 124 substantially fixed, movementof the probe 100 and/or the tubing 124 adjacent thereto will not causethe tubing to kink during normal operation thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, channel 308 is configured to extend fromopening 306 along a length of clip housing 305 to second opening 304 adisposed in distal end 304. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface308′ of channel 308 is configured to provide support for tubing 124within clip 300. The surface 308′ of channel 308 has a diameter that isslightly greater than the diameter of tubing 124 such that tubing 124easily rests therein. Alternatively, surface 308′ may include a diameterthat is slightly less than or equal to tubing 124 such that tubing 124is further secured within clip housing 305. Channel 308 may be coatedwith a material that reduces static and kinetic coefficients of frictionbetween the tubing 124 and the channel surface 308′. For example,channel surface 308′ may be coated with nylon, TEFLON™ and the like. Inan embodiment, channel 308 is open along a length of clip housing 305 toenable a visual confirmation of coolant flow, or lack thereof, throughthe tubing 124.

Channel 305 includes a generally J-shape having a suitable radius “R”that allows tube 124 to flex during operation of coolant delivery system200 (see FIG. 3D). Radius “R” includes a sufficient diameter thatprovides adequate structural support for tubing 124, while providingclip housing 305 and, thus, tubing 124 some degree of flexibility.

As mentioned above and as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, the distal end 304includes an opening 304 a extending therethrough that is dimensioned tomechanically engage the tubing 124 as the tubing extends therethrough.As shown in FIG. 4, an alternative clip 600 may be utilized. Clip 600includes a clip housing 605, one or more slots 610, and a generallyJ-shaped support channel 608 (similar to the J-channel described above)that extends to a distal end 604. The distal end 604 includes a pair ofopposing flanges 612 a and 612 b that are flexible to facilitateinsertion of the tube 124 therein. The two opposing flanges 612 a and612 b are preferably made from a semi-resilient material to flexinwardly or outwardly to facilitate insertion of the tube in the cliphousing 605. The flanges 612 a and 612 b, in one instance, may bedimensioned to flex inwardly such that the tube 124 may be essentiallysnap-fit into secure engagement with the distal end 604. In anotherinstance the flanges 612 a and 612 b may be dimensioned to flewoutwardly (either together or independently) to facilitate secureengagement with the tube 124.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a clip 500 that includes a housing505, one or more slots 510, and a generally J-shaped support channel 508that extends to a distal end 504. The distal end 404 includes a pair ofopposing flanges 512 a and 512 b that are flexible to facilitateinsertion of the tube 124 therein. The two opposing flanges 512 a and512 b are preferably made from a semi-resilient material to flexinwardly or outwardly to facilitate insertion of the tube in the cliphousing 505. Flanges 512 a and 512 b are dimensioned to flex outwardlyto secure tube 124 into secure engagement with the distal end 504.Flange 512 a includes a distal end 513 a that includes a mechanicalinterface, e.g., nub, is biased inwardly to enhance retention of thetube 124 within distal end 504. More particularly, upon insertion, tube124 forces flange 512 a outwardly past a distal end 513 b of flange 512b and, once the tube 124 is seated within channel 508, the biasingoverlapping force of flange 512 a against flange 512 b enhances theretention of both flanges 512 a and 512 b (with the distal ends 513 aand 513 b working in cooperation) against the tube 124.

Clip housing 305 and luer housing 405 may be made from any suitablematerial including but not limited to, metal, metal alloy, plastic,plastic composite, and the like. In embodiments, it may prove useful tofabricate clip housing 305 and luer housing 405 from one or morebiocompatible materials such as, for example, silicone elastomer,polyvinyl chloride, natural or synthetic rubber, polyurethane and so on.Clip housing 305 and luer housing 405 may be formed by stamping,overmolding, injection molding, or by other suitable means known in theart.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings,those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications canalso be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scopeof the same. For example, while clip 300 and luer 400 have beendescribed herein as connecting to an end of tubing 124 that is connectedto probe assembly 100, it is within the purview of the presentdisclosure to have clip 300 and luer 400 adapted to connect to an end oftube 124 that is connected to the coolant system 200. Here, clip 300 andluer 400 may operate and include structure similar to that as describedhereinabove.

Clip 300 and/or luer 400 may be adapted to connect to one or more otherclips 300 and/or luers 400. In this instance, one or more clips 300and/or luers 400 may include interlocking interfaces configured tocouple one or more clips together. This may be useful when tubing 124 isemployed in limited working areas.

Clip housing 305 may have more than one channel 308. In this instance,one clip 300 may be employed to couple to multiple coolant lines (e.g.,coolant lines that include in-flow and out-flow lines).

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to aclip 300 including a clip housing 305 having a generally J-shapeincluding first and second ends that converge toward each other, it isequally applicable to apply the concept of the present disclosure to aclip housing 305 having other shapes to support tubing 124. For example,clip housing 305 may have a C-shape, U-shape, M-shape, and so on (noneof which is explicitly shown) each having respective ends convergingtoward each other and each having suitable radii at their respectiveconverging locations.

While the structural and operative features of clip 300 and luer 400have been described in terms of use with a single length of tubing, itis within the purview of the present disclosure to provide a clip 300and luer 400 that may couple to coolant lines and/or cables that arehoused within one cover, jacket, or sheath. Here, clip 300 and luer 400may be configured similarly as described hereinabove, but may havecomponents including respective openings that are configured toaccommodate larger diameter structure.

Moreover, in the instance where coolant delivery systems employ luertype fittings that are configured to accommodate both the inflow andoutflow tubing, clip housing 305 may have an additional, or largerdiameter, opening 306 at the distal end of inner periphery 320, whereintwo channels (not shown) may extend from opening 306, as described abovewith regard to channel 308, and accommodate both lengths of tubing.Here, a second opening (not shown), or other suitable structure, atsecond end 304 may be employed to maintain the lengths of tubing asdescribed above.

The present disclosure provides a method 700 of preventing kinking intubing in a cooling system. At step 702, a clip housing having proximaland distal ends and a channel defined therethrough and a luer includinga passageway defined therethrough is provided. The channel and thepassageway are dimensioned to receive tubing for carrying a coolingfluid from a cooling source. At step 704, the tubing is inserted intoand through the passageway in the luer and the luer is secured to thetubing. At step 706, the tubing is inserted into and through the channelof the clip housing such that the tubing extends therefrom forengagement with an instrument. And at step 708, mating mechanicalinterfaces on the luer are operatively engaged with correspondingmechanical interfaces on the clip housing to limit rotation of thetubing.

The present disclosure also provides a coolant delivery system for usewith a microwave antenna. The coolant delivery system includes one ormore lengths of tubing having one end adapted to connect to a microwaveantenna and a second end adapted to connect to a coolant reservoirconfigured to store at least one type of coolant. The coolant deliverysystem includes a clip housing having proximal and distal ends and achannel defined therethrough. The channel configured to receive the oneor more lengths tubing for carrying a cooling fluid from the coolantreservoir. The coolant delivery system also includes a luer thatincludes a passageway defined therethrough. The passageway is configuredto securely receive the one or more lengths of tubing such that thetubing extends through the luer for reception within the channel definedin the clip housing. The luer includes one or more interfaces on asurface thereof that matingly engage a corresponding interface on theclip housing to limit rotation of the tubing.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thedrawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, asit is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art willallow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the artwill envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of theclaims appended hereto.

1. A fluid clip comprising: a clip housing including a channel definedat least partially therethrough, the channel configured to selectivelyreceive tubing for carrying a fluid from a source; and a luer includinga passageway defined at least partially therethrough, the passagewayconfigured to receive the tubing therein for further reception withinthe channel defined in the clip housing, the clip housing beingconfigured to limit rotation of the luer and the tubing when the luerand the clip housing are matingly engaged.
 2. A fluid clip according toclaim 1, wherein the luer includes a pair of opposing wings thatmatingly engage a corresponding pair of slots defined within the cliphousing to thereby limit relative rotation.
 3. A fluid clip according toclaim 1, wherein the luer includes a housing having a proximal flangethat extends therefrom, the proximal flange moveable relative to theluer housing to secure the tubing within the passageway.
 4. A fluid clipaccording to claim 1, wherein the luer includes a housing having aproximal flange that extends therefrom, the luer housing including aninner peripheral surface that is configured to crimp the proximal flangeupon reception therein, which, in turn, secures tubing within thepassageway.
 5. A fluid clip according to claim 1, wherein the luerincludes a housing having a proximal flange that extends therefrom, theproximal flange including an inner peripheral surface that forms part ofthe passageway, the inner peripheral surface being dimensioned tosecurely engage the tubing when the tubing is received therethrough. 6.A fluid clip according to claim 1, wherein the clip housing issubstantially J-shaped defining a radius at a distal end thereof.
 7. Afluid clip according to claim 1, wherein a distal end of the cliphousing includes a mechanical interface disposed thereon thatfacilitates secure engagement of the tubing therein.
 8. A fluid clipaccording to claim 7, wherein the interface at the distal end of theclip housing includes a pair of opposing flanges that cooperate tofacilitate secure engagement of the tubing to the distal end of the cliphousing.
 9. A fluid clip according to claim 7, wherein the interface atthe distal end of the housing includes a pair of opposing flanges thatcooperate in an overlapping manner to facilitate secure engagement ofthe tubing to the distal end of the clip housing.
 10. A method ofpreventing kinking in tubing, comprising the steps of: providing a cliphousing including a channel defined at least partially therethrough anda luer including a passageway defined at least partially therethrough;inserting a tubing into and through the passageway; inserting the tubinginto and through the channel of the clip housing such that the tubingextends therefrom for engagement with an instrument; and operativelyengaging mechanical interfaces on the luer with corresponding mechanicalinterfaces on the clip housing to limit rotation of the tubing.
 11. Amethod according to claim 10, wherein the step of inserting the tubinginto and through the passageway in the luer includes the step ofcrimping a portion of the luer to secure the tubing.
 12. A methodaccording to claim 11, wherein the luer of the providing step includes aluer housing having a proximal flange that extends therefrom and thestep of crimping includes the step of moving one of the luer housing andthe proximal flange relative to one another to crimp the tubing.
 13. Amethod according to claim 10, further comprising the step of operativelyengaging the tubing in the distal end of the clip housing.
 14. A methodaccording to claim 10, further comprising the steps of: bending thetubing around a radius defined in the channel; and operatively engagingthe tubing in a distal end of the clip housing to secure the tubingtherein.
 15. A coolant delivery system for use with a microwave antenna,comprising: at least one length of tubing having one end adapted toconnect to a microwave antenna and a second end adapted to connect to acoolant reservoir configured to store at least one type of coolant; aclip housing including a distal end, the clip housing having a channeldefined at least partially therethrough and extending at least partiallyalong the distal end thereof, the channel including a radius configuredto receive the at least one length of tubing therealong to allow the atleast one length of tubing to flex thereabout without kinking; and aluer including a passageway defined at least partially therethrough, thepassageway configured to receive the at least one length of tubing forfurther reception within the channel defined in the clip housing, theluer including at least one interface on a surface thereof configured toengage a corresponding interface on the clip housing to limit rotationof the luer and the tubing disposed therein.
 16. The coolant deliverysystem according to claim 15, wherein the interface on the luer includesa pair of opposing wings that matingly engage a corresponding pair ofslots defined within the clip housing.
 17. The coolant delivery systemaccording to claim 15, wherein the luer includes a housing having aproximal flange that extends therefrom, the proximal flange moveablerelative to the luer housing to secure the tubing within the passageway.18. The coolant delivery system according to claim 15, wherein the luerincludes a housing having a proximal flange that extends therefrom, theluer housing including an inner peripheral surface that is configured tocrimp the proximal flange upon reception therein, which, in turn,secures tubing within the passageway.
 19. The coolant delivery systemaccording to claim 15, wherein the luer includes a housing having aproximal flange that extends therefrom, the proximal flange including aninner peripheral surface that forms part of the passageway, the innerperipheral surface dimensioned to securely engage the tubing when thetubing is received therethrough.
 20. The coolant delivery systemaccording to claim 15, wherein the clip housing is substantiallyJ-shaped.